Pencil Kings | Inspiring Artist Interviews with Today's Best Artists

Dan Piche is the creator of Champions of Akathena a board game launching on 15 June. He has advice for anyone who has a passion to make a board game, but no experience actually making it a reality. In this episode: In this week’s episode we get the final chapter on designing and launching your own board game. We had Dan on the podcast in the past to talk about the process so far in Episode 230 (https://www.pencilkings.com/daniel-piche/) and now that he’s just about to launch again here’s the update of the story as he's just about to release his new board game to the world. There's lots of insight into the care it takes to bring your project to the finish line, but mostly I hope while listening you can get a sense of how you can look at your own projects with fresh eyes and see how you can use feedback to make your work as good as it possibly can be.

Diego Jourdan Pereira is an author of puzzle and activity books, including the Giant Book of Games and Puzzles for Smart Kids, The Big Book of Brain-Boosting Puzzles, Bible Power Puzzles, and the Astonishing Bathroom Reader. With a background in illustration, comic books, and graphic design, his clientele has ranged from Dover Publications to The Topps Company. In this episode: In this week’s episode, Diego Jourdan Pereira walks us through how he went from a career as an illustrator working in licensing and completely reinvented himself as an author and book designer. Diego’s story is a fantastic model showing how clear goals and hard work pay off to break into a completely new market and create new opportunities. If you have been sitting on the fence, not knowing what to do or how to do it, just listen up because the clues are all right here and if you are willing to put in the work, it’s just a matter of continued effort and time before you’re well on your way towards your dream career where you get paid to be creative. In the last part of the episode we talk about the difference between dreams and goals, and Diego has a great way of looking at how to set and make your goals a reality.

Mitch Bowler is the Founder of Pencil Kings and the Co-founder of Evolve Artist. He has worked with countless companies, including Pixar, Marvel, Dungeons & Dragons, Activision, and more. As a former 3D technical artist, Mitch has gone through the ups and downs of honing his craft, which is why he decided to revolutionize the way that art is taught. Both of his companies offer professional instruction and hands-on support from real artists in order to help creatives around the world take their work to the next level. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: How to ground your ideas of what a character designer does by looking at reference booksWhy not loving the character design process can be a huge red flag, and what to do if this is you.How to look for jobs and make your dream career more realistic.How and why to participate in online communitiesPutting together a portfolio based on your earlier researchHow to have an awesome creative career even if you realize that character design isn’t as fun as you thought it might be In this episode: In this week’s episode, Mitch Bowler from Pencil Kings breaks down a simple five-step process that he would use to break into having a career as a character designer. This talk skips right over technical skill development and gets right to the heart of the key steps any artist will need to take to land their dream job, even if they have no idea how to get started. The cool thing about this plan is that you can get started right now, and when you put your mind to it and just follow the steps you could be landing your dream career as a character designer in the next 12 months.

Michael Cawood is a multi-award winning British Animated Filmmaker based in Los Angeles who develops original animated projects in his free time. Having worked in animation since 1994, he's created Films, Series, Commercials, VR and Games. His work in short films has won him numerous 'Best Short Film' and 'Best Animation' awards plus the Orson Welles Award. In this episode: In this week’s episode, we’re speaking with Michael Cawood who had been on the podcast previously to speak about his independently animated film, ‘The Wrong Rock’ which has since been completed and published and is generating a lot of views on YouTube and which was also made the shortlist for consideration to be included in the Oscar Awards. Creating and finishing your animated short film is amazing in itself and Michael talks about the choices he made to ensure that the project would be completed before the birth of his son. For anyone who has dreamed of making an independent animation this is a fantastic interview that will give you a glimpse of what it’s like, and how long it takes to make it to the finish line. In this interview right at we discuss how indie projects are the perfect way to break into the creative industry of your dreams. Nothing beats hands-on experience and Michael even gives a call out to anyone interested in collaborating on projects to get in touch. If you’ve always wanted to work in the entertainment industry.

Mitch Bowler is the Founder of Pencil Kings and the Co-founder of Evolve Artist. He has worked with countless companies, including Pixar, Marvel, Dungeons & Dragons, Activision, and more. As a former 3D technical artist, Mitch has gone through the ups and downs of honing his craft, which is why he decided to revolutionize the way that art is taught. Both of his companies offer professional instruction and hands-on support from real artists in order to help creatives around the world take their work to the next level. In this episode: Mitch wraps up his series on getting serious about using your creativity to generate income and talks about the different types of resources you can use to move towards your goal. Having a goal of 12 months into the future, while also looking back at how you have performed in the past 12 months gives you a good idea of where you are right now... and wherever that is, is perfectly fine! The most important part is being honest with yourself so you can move forward and get to where you want to be in the most direct way possible. The four options that you have are: Each resource has its own plusses and minuses, but most importantly you need to do what is right for YOU. Your situation is unique and by knowing yourself and having clear goals you can make the right choice to make the next 12 months really count!

Mitch Bowler is the Founder of Pencil Kings and the Co-founder of Evolve Artist. He has worked with countless companies, including Pixar, Marvel, Dungeons & Dragons, Activision, and more. As a former 3D technical artist, Mitch has gone through the ups and downs of honing his craft, which is why he decided to revolutionize the way that art is taught. Both of his companies offer professional instruction and hands-on support from real artists in order to help creatives around the world take their work to the next level. In this episode… What skills do you need in order to start making money from your art? While many artists focus on creative skills such as drawing or painting, these are not always the most important skills for landing your dream creative career. According to Mitch Bowler, exploring and developing the skills that are in demand for creative projects is a necessary step for making your artistic dreams a reality. But, how do you know which creative skills are in demand—and which ones will be the right fit for you? Mitch Bowler has some tried-and-true strategies for testing different career ideas, discerning project-fit, and taking simple steps to find your creative calling. In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler demonstrates how you can discover—and develop—the skills necessary to land your dream creative career. Mitch shares his strategies for identifying which skills are in demand for creative projects, how to find your calling as an artist, and the simple ways to unlock new possibilities for your creative career. Stay tuned for more!

Mitch Bowler is the Founder of Pencil Kings and the Co-founder of Evolve Artist. He has worked with countless companies, including Pixar, Marvel, Dungeons & Dragons, Activision, and more. As a former 3D technical artist, Mitch has gone through the ups and downs of honing his craft, which is why he decided to revolutionize the way that art is taught. Both of his companies offer professional instruction and hands-on support from real artists in order to help creatives around the world take their work to the next level. In this episode… If you’re ready to transform your dream of having an art career into a reality, then you’re going to need a plan. And, what better way to start planning your art career path than by determining exactly what skills will benefit your level up? For artists looking to jumpstart their careers, job descriptions are a goldmine of valuable information. That’s because they are essentially a wish list compiled by the companies you want to work for. As Mitch Bowler says, by analyzing a job description in the creative field you want to join, you can effectively gauge the skills that are in demand and devise a plan of action for how to obtain those skills—and land your dream job. In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler reveals how to ground your art career path in reality using job descriptions. Listen in as Mitch talks about how to discern what creative skills are in demand for a specific field, why experience isn’t the only metric for determining if you are qualified for a job, and the importance of breaking out of your comfort zone as you make your dreams a reality. Stay tuned.

Mitch Bowler is the Founder of Pencil Kings and the Co-founder of Evolve Artist. He has worked with countless companies, including Pixar, Marvel, Dungeons & Dragons, Activision, and more. As a former 3D technical artist, Mitch has gone through the ups and downs of honing his craft, which is why he decided to revolutionize the way that art is taught. Both of his companies offer professional instruction and hands-on support from real artists in order to help creatives around the world take their work to the next level. In this episode… Where are you on your creative journey? Are you still dreaming about leaving your day-to-day job and taking the next step in your career as an artist? If so, now is the perfect time to create a 12 month art career goal. Far too many artists have romanticized what it means to be a full-time creative. For these artists, their dream of pursuing a creative career is precisely that: a dream. However, according to Mitch Bowler, it is entirely possible for you to transform your dream of being an artist "one day" into a concrete reality—and all you need is 12 months. In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler shares his expert strategies for transforming your creative dreams into a reality in the next 12 months. Mitch highlights the importance of setting a concrete goal as an artist, how to determine the right path to take on your creative journey, and his tips for making real progress with your next project. Stay tuned!

Mitch Bowler is the Founder of Pencil Kings and the Co-founder of Evolve Artist. He has worked with countless companies, including Pixar, Marvel, Dungeons & Dragons, Activision, and more. As a former 3D technical artist, Mitch has gone through the ups and downs of honing his craft, which is why he decided to revolutionize the way that art is taught. Both of his companies offer professional instruction and hands-on support from real artists in order to help creatives around the world take their work to the next level. In this episode… Where are you in your journey to make art full-time? Have you just started dreaming about being an artist? Or, have you already landed your first client? (If so, congrats!) Wherever you are in your creative journey, Mitch Bowler, the Founder of Pencil Kings and Co-founder of Evolve Artist, wants to help you kickstart the art career of your dreams in the new year. With his expert advice, you can start on the path to achieving not only a creative career in 2021, but also creative freedom. In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler discusses how to transition from a dreamer to a doer in the new year. Mitch shares the essential steps for taking your art career to the next level, the story of how he first broke into the industry, and his journey to becoming the artist and teacher he is today. Listen in to learn more about how to achieve your artistic and career goals in 2021!

Mitch Bowler is the Founder of Pencil Kings and the Co-founder of Evolve Artist. He has worked with countless companies, including Pixar, Marvel, Dungeons & Dragons, Activision, and more. As a former 3D technical artist, Mitch has gone through the ups and downs of honing his craft, which is why he decided to revolutionize the way that art is taught. Both of his companies offer professional instruction and hands-on support from real artists in order to help creatives around the world take their work to the next level. In this episode… You are an architect of your own time, and only you can choose how you spend it. However, many artists struggle to find time and create space in their days to pursue their creative work. So, how can you start making time for your art in 2021, without the typical distractions of day-to-day life? Mitch Bowler, the Founder of Pencil Kings and Co-founder of Evolve Artist, has often struggled with the challenge of carving out time for his artistic goals. Then, in the chaos of 2020, he stumbled on a silver lining: the opportunity to slow down and be more intentional with his time. Now, Mitch is starting off 2021 with a goal to stop wasting time and start treating his creative endeavors as a marathon, not a sprint. In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler reflects on how 2020 allowed him to take stock of his creative pursuits—and the time he spent working on them. He discusses the common challenges artists face with making time to pursue their creative endeavors, the importance of saying “no” when carving out time for your art, and his strategies for sticking to your artistic goals in 2021. Stay tuned.

Terri Rodriguez-Hong is a UX/UI designer and a UX/UI Tutor at CareerFoundry. In her position as a UX/UI designer, Terri hopes to bridge the gap between products to be accessible by all users. She received her MFA from the University of Hawaii and is currently working on her master’s degree in Human Computer Interaction. Outside of her passion for UX/UI, Terri is an avid Muay Thai boxer, a volleyball fan, and the co-host of the Ramblings of a Designer podcast. In this episode… What happens when you blend a passion for art and user experience? While many artists base their success on commissions and reputation, there may be a more fulfilling path. UX/UI is the combination of design, art, and user experience that bridges the gap between a product and its user. Terri Rodriguez-Hong made the leap into the UX/UI world four years ago—and she hasn’t looked back since. With her fine art and visual design background, she brings a unique perspective to her role as a UX/UI designer. So, what is Terri’s advice to fellow artists looking to create a career in the sweet spot between art and user experience? In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler sits down with UX/UI Designer, Terri Rodriguez-Hong. Terri recalls what gave her the push to transition from visual design to UX/UI, how she navigated the interview process, and why the most important investment you can make is in yourself. She also shares her tips for building industry connections and starting your journey in UX/UI. Stay tuned!

David Emmons is the owner of Artist Marketing Formula, a company that helps artists and small specialty business owners utilize the power of the internet and social media marketing to successfully—and sustainably—sell online. Before creating Artist Marketing Formula, David spent many years selling his copper and stained glass sculptures at various art fairs. After mastering the life-changing art of selling his products online, David decided to teach others how to create sustainable and profitable online businesses using social media. In this episode… Gone are the days when a simple phrase like "build it and they will come" sufficed for a marketing strategy. Like other business owners with a powerful product, artists now have to engage in strategic marketing strategies to reach their audience and boost their sales. However, this doesn't have to be an intimidating process—in fact, marketing your art today is easier than you may have imagined. Artist David Emmons saw first-hand how social media ads could change the way he connected to his fans and buyers. After transitioning from selling at art festivals to selling online, he decided to create a program to help fellow artists create their own profitable and successful online businesses. Since then, his Artist Marketing Formula has guided countless artists and creatives on their journey to creating a sustainable income using effective online marketing strategies. In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler sits down with fellow creative and Founder of Artist Marketing Formula, David Emmons. Together, they discuss common misconceptions about marketing your art, how to effectively engage with fans and buyers online, and the tools you need to succeed using social media. If you want to find out more about David’s secret sauce to creating sustainable income using online marketing, then stay tuned!

Allan McKay is an Emmy Award-winning VFX Supervisor and Technical Director based in Los Angeles, CA. Allan has created visual effects for projects such as Game of Thrones, Avengers Endgame, Transformers 3, and many more. He has over 20 years of experience working with different studios and directors, including Blur Studio, Pixomondo, and M. Night Shyamalan. In addition to this, Allan McKay recently launched his creative industry podcast, where he interviews the leading experts, creatives, and technical wizards in Hollywood. In this episode… What sets you apart from the competition in your industry? How do you stand out from every other qualified artist during a job interview? According to Emmy Award-winning visual effects artist, Allan McKay, the deciding factor that companies take into account before working with you is your personal brand. So, how can you create a unique, memorable, and authentic personal brand? When Allan started in the VFX industry, he was only 14. However, he had the drive and knowledge to back up his passion. By amplifying his unique skills and story, he was able to build a powerful personal brand—and a successful career—that wasn’t impacted by his young age. So, what is his secret? In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler sits down with long time friend, VFX Supervisor and Technical Director Allan McKay. They discuss common misconceptions that artists have about social media, branding, and job interviews. Allan also shares the incredible impact that his personal brand had on his career and reveals his tips for building a powerful personal brand today. Stay tuned.

Daniel Piche is a data analyst with a background in databases and data visualization. Outside of his day job, Daniel has combined his passion for bringing family and friends together and his love for board games to create a team-based game that anyone can enjoy. Daniel's unique understanding of how data and human interaction intertwines has allowed him to make a seamless game that captivates all audiences. In this episode… Do you love the excitement and collaboration of board games? Or, does the sight of a game board at a dinner party make you want to pack up early? Almost every gathering will have someone from each end of the spectrum, so the question remains: Is it possible to create a board game that everyone will enjoy? This is the question that Daniel Piche sought to answer in 2017 after years of ideation and fine-tuning his board game. Using his data visualization background, Daniel created a game that was easy to play—and even easier to understand. His idea was to create a board game for his friends' enjoyment, but after huge popularity at conventions, Daniel decided to invite others into the fun. Tune in to this episode of Pencil Kings as host Mitch Bowler sits down with Daniel Piche, a data analyst by day and board game creator by night. They discuss the game-making journey from ideation to creation and the important role that feedback plays in the process. Daniel also highlights how he used his data analysis skills to create a board game that was easy to play and understand. Keep listening!

Bruce Marion is a contemporary impressionist who specializes in creating compelling abstracted cityscapes, landscapes, and figurative and contemporary wildlife paintings. Bruce received his BFA from the prestigious ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he studied with world-renowned artist Pat Nagel, as well as Lorser Feitelson, father of Post-Surrealism. Since then, Bruce has taught various courses and workshops to aspiring artists in the US, overseas, and online. In this episode… Many children dream of being veterinarians, artists, or even teachers. As a contemporary impressionist, Bruce Marion has skillfully combined all three career paths into one. With his love for creating figurative and contemporary wildlife paintings, as well as his skill for teaching art, Bruce has found a style—or, rather, many styles—that keeps him inspired and motivated as an artist. As he says, the secret is following your passion and constantly creating new pieces (even if they aren’t “perfect”). Listen in to this week's episode of Pencil Kings as host Mitch Bowler is joined by Bruce Marion, renowned art teacher and contemporary impressionist artist. Bruce discusses the joys of working with multiple different styles, how to overcome creative roadblocks, and his process for helping artists find what works for them. If you want to learn more about discovering your artistic style and finding inspiration everywhere, then stay tuned!

Michelle Sakhai is a contemporary artist based in New York. With over 20 years of experience exploring plein air painting before transitioning to the abstract, Michelle’s vision is to create transformative art that touches the soul. In addition to exhibiting her paintings across the nation and worldwide, Michelle also serves on the advisory board for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Hofstra University and teaches Transformative Art at the Harlem Hospital. In this episode… Do you want to take your art to the next level? Then, in the words of contemporary artist Michelle Sakhai, simply let go. Free your mind from any artistic constraints and allow your hands to create. This is the mindset that allowed Michelle to experience her artistic awakening and discover her authentic vision as a painter. Michelle's ingenuity and ability to go beyond her area of expertise have paved the way for her free-flowing abstract art. After specializing in plein air painting for over 20 years, Michelle made the transition to the abstract—and she has never felt more connected to her craft. In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler sits down with contemporary fine artist, author, and educator, Michelle Sakhai. They discuss letting go of form, finding the balance between reality and expectations as an artist, and pursuing your unique artistic expression. Michelle also emphasizes the importance of experiencing the business side of the art world, in addition to honing your craft. Stay tuned!

Sergio Paez is an animation director, a successful author, and a founding member of StoryboardArt.org, a visual storytelling community. He has spent the last 20 years pushing the limits of what it means to be a story artist while working with Pixar, Lucasfilm, Sony, and many more. Sergio has also created courses that teach budding artists how to design engaging and exceptional storyboards. In this episode… The common stereotype of the “starving artist” has started to fade from the mainstream view. New opportunities in industries like tech, marketing, and film have allowed artists to shine like never before. This is especially true for artists who can successfully communicate clear and consistent ideas through storyboards. Sergio Paez is one of these successful artists. With over 20 years of experience creating storyboards, Sergio is an expert at transforming mere ideas into gripping adventures or heart-wrenching tales. So, what is his advice to artists looking to build a prosperous career in storyboarding? In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler sits down with Sergio Paez, renowned author, story artist, and animation director. They discuss how to build a career as a story artist, the importance of creating passive income, and the many viable career options in media production. Sergio and Mitch also share their love for the creative process and their tips for making a living as an artist.

Mitch Bowler is the Founder of Pencil Kings and the Co-founder of Evolve Artist. He has worked with countless companies, including Pixar, Marvel, Dungeons & Dragons, Activision, and more. As a former 3D technical artist, Mitch has gone through the ups and downs of honing his craft, which is why he decided to revolutionize the way that art is taught. Both of his companies offer professional instruction and hands-on support from real artists in order to help creatives around the world take their work to the next level. In this episode… On their pursuit to create great art, many artists face a variety of obstacles. For some, this may be a lack of motivation to stick to their goals, while others may have trouble balancing their numerous different projects. But what happens when you are so overwhelmed with these obstacles that you have no time or energy to produce great art? Rather than stress about your current tasks or obstacles, Mitch Bowler suggests that you seek out external support to help you focus on your craft. From productivity planners to business coaches, Mitch has a few useful strategies for making time for your art and creativity. In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler shares his expert strategies for making more time for your art. He highlights the importance of prioritizing your tasks and discusses how to ask for help from people in your industry or personal life. Mitch also delves into how to improve your art with the help of Evolve Artist. Stay tuned!

Miriam Schulman is a watercolor and mixed media artist and the Founder of The Inspiration Place, a popular online art class and artist community. Before venturing into the art world, Miriam worked at a hedge fund on Wall Street until 9/11. Since then, she has followed her passion, built a successful career as an artist, and helped other creatives make their art dreams come true. Miriam is also the host of The Inspiration Place podcast, where she talks with artists, creatives, and industry experts about how to succeed in the art world. In this episode… Artists are revolutionaries and trailblazers, but sometimes they get stuck. For many creatives, their inner fear of rejection and criticism hinders their ability to be bold, create impactful pieces, and grow their careers. Miriam Schulman, ex-Wall Street worker turned watercolor and mixed media artist, knows this feeling all too well. After pursuing her art career and gaining confidence as an artist, she decided to create The Inspiration Place. Now, this online community helps other artists and creatives find the inspiration they need to overcome their mental roadblocks and pursue their art careers with more intensity. In this week's episode of the Pencil Kings podcast, Mitch Bowler sits down with fellow podcaster and watercolor artist, Miriam Schulman. They discuss the connection between mortality and art, how to overcome your fear of rejection and criticism, and the impact of the global pandemic on creative spaces. Miriam also shares her thoughts on the purpose of life (hint: get uncomfortable!).

Mark McGuinness is a creative coach, an award-winning poet, and the Owner of Lateral Action, where he helps 21st century creatives achieve their artistic and professional ambitions. With over 20 years of experience in the coaching industry, Mark has helped countless creatives take their careers to the next level. He believes in creating a balance between our creative pursuits and our ability to become proficient as professionals in our desired field. Mark is also the author of several books for creatives and the host of the 21st Century Creative podcast. In this episode… Where are you on your creative journey? Whether you’re just starting to pursue your craft or you’re looking for a career shift, it’s important to remember the meaning behind your creative pursuits. For Mark McGuinness, art is a self-expressive tool of connection and discussion. However, many artists struggle with this connection—and the criticism and feedback that comes with it—during their pursuit toward a successful creative career. That’s why Mark has spent more than 25 years coaching creative professionals on how to achieve their artistic and career ambitions. He has helped hundreds of artists build and sustain professional relationships while productively pursuing their creative goals. In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, Mark McGuinness joins host Mitch Bowler to discuss how to take your art career to the next level. Mark shares his thoughts on finding motivation as an artist, overcoming rejection and criticism, and why business and art are not mutually exclusive. Mark also reveals the mindset shift that will help you achieve profitable artistic freedom. Stay tuned!